Why am I so slow....

6 hours doesn't sound bad for that size job to me. It would take me at least
that long to do that and probably more.
I decided a long time ago that my time spent on a project in my shop doesn't
count as time usually does. "It's the journey rather than the destination
that I seek". I always try to do it as right as possible to satisfy my own
desires. When it's done, it's done! I seem to do great during the sawdust
part, but the finishing seems to drag on (not my favorite part). I usually
finish something when it starts getting in my way and I want the space.
I'm a recently retired engineer who spent most of my career designing and
building automated manufacturing machinery and controls. Recently I started
getting bored with my own home shop projects and decided that I needed to
find a new interest and "get involved" again. I volunteered my time and my
shop to build projects for a children's science museum that's located about
20 miles from me. They jumped at the chance to get me and so far things are
going great. They ask me to do something, and then pretty much leave it
totally up to me to design and build it my way. I can use their huge wood
shop or my own (usually use my own so I don't have to commute) and they
reimburse me for all of my expenses. I'm also providing technical training
in pneumatics, electronics, and automation to their personnel whenever they
need assistance. I usually set my own hours and schedules and they seem very
happy to get whatever help that I'm willing to provide. It's been a real
pleasure to be able to make projects of scientific interest and
entertainment for the children, and the adults who come to the museum. If
any of you "retired" guys out there want to make something in your shop to
help the children and get involved in your community I suggest that you find
one of these museums in your area and offer to help.

I work at two speeds: 1) not so slow and 2) slow as molasses
The only way to produce at speed #1 is to do thorough planning and layout.
If I "design on the fly", I make more mistakes and take longer. I'm getting
better and better at using a 3-D cad program which helps me eliminate many
many mistakes because I can "test fit" in the computer and find the problems
before cutting a single board.
Bob

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